ICS Advisory | Sierra Wireless AirLink Router with ALEOS
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1) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
- CVSS v3 8.0
- ATTENTION: Exploitable remotely/low attack complexity
- Vendor: Sierra Wireless
- Equipment: AirLink Router with ALEOS Software
- Vulnerabilities: Improper Neutralization of Argument Delimiters in a Command, Exposure of Sensitive Information to an Unauthorized Actor
2) RISK EVALUATION
Successful exploitation of these vulnerabilities could allow a loss of sensitive information and could allow remote code execution.
3) TECHNICAL DETAILS
3.1 AFFECTED PRODUCTS
Sierra Wireless reports the following versions of AirLink router with ALEOS software are affected:
- Airlink Router (ES450, GX450) running ALEOS software: Versions 4.9.7 and prior
- Airlink Router (MP70, RV50, RV50x, RV55, LX 40, LX60) running ALEOS software: Versions prior to 4.16.0
3.2 VULNERABILITY OVERVIEW
3.2.1 IMPROPER NEUTRALIZATION OF ARGUMENT DELIMITERS IN A COMMAND ('ARGUMENT INJECTION') CWE-88
AirLink router versions with ALEOS software are vulnerable when users with valid ACEManager credentials and access to the ACEManager interface could manipulate the IP logging operation to execute arbitrary shell commands on the device. CVE-2022-46649 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 8.0 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:A/AC:L/PR:L/UI:N/S:U/C:H/I:H/A:H).
3.2.2 EXPOSURE OF SENSITIVE INFORMATION TO AN UNAUTHORIZED ACTOR CWE-200
AirLink router versions with ALEOS software are vulnerable when users with valid ACEManager credentials and access to the ACEManager interface could reconfigure the device to expose the ACEManager credentials on the pre-login status page. CVE-2022-46650 has been assigned to this vulnerability. A CVSS v3 base score of 4.5 has been calculated; the CVSS vector string is (AV:N/AC:L/PR:H/UI:R/S:U/C:H/I:N/A:N).
3.3 BACKGROUND
- CRITICAL INFRASTRUCTURE SECTORS: Multiple
- COUNTRIES/AREAS DEPLOYED: Worldwide
- COMPANY HEADQUARTERS LOCATION: Canada
3.4 RESEARCHER
Roni Gavrilov and Eran Jacob from OTORIO reported these vulnerabilities to CISA.
4) MITIGATIONS
Sierra Wireless recommends upgrading the following affected devices:
- Upgrade MP70, RV50, RV50x, RV55, LX 40, LX60 to ALEOS version 4.16.0 or later
- Upgrade ES450, GX450 to ALEOS version 4.9.8 (when available) or later
Sierra Wireless recommends the following mitigations:
- Always use strong, and ideally unique random credentials for devices. ALEOS devices ship with unique random credentials by default.
- Disable access to ACEManager on the wide area network (WAN) and use the Sierra Wireless Airlink Management System (ALMS) or an alternative device management platform for remote management of ALEOS devices.
- If the ACEManager must remain accessible via the WAN, restrict access using measures such as Private APN, VPN, or the ALEOS Trusted IP feature (restricts access to specific hosts).
CISA reminds organizations to perform proper impact analysis and risk assessment prior to deploying defensive measures.
CISA also provides a section for control systems security recommended practices on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics. Several CISA products detailing cyber defense best practices are available for reading and download, including Improving Industrial Control Systems Cybersecurity with Defense-in-Depth Strategies.
Additional mitigation guidance and recommended practices are publicly available on the ICS webpage at cisa.gov/ics in the technical information paper, ICS-TIP-12-146-01B--Targeted Cyber Intrusion Detection and Mitigation Strategies.
Organizations observing suspected malicious activity should follow established internal procedures and report findings to CISA for tracking and correlation against other incidents.
No known public exploits specifically target these vulnerabilities.
USAT Recommendations
- Ensure user login credentials are not the defaults, and are sufficiently complex.
- Disable AAF user account if not in use. Navigate to “Admin”, then “Change Password”, and ensure the field for “AAF User Status” is set to “Disabled”.
- If the AAF user account is being used, please change it from the default to something more complex.
- If remote web access to ACE Manager is required, ensure ACE Manager login is via “HTTPS Only”, by setting that parameter under “Services”, then “ACE Manager”. There are two settings, “Remote Access” and “Local Access”.
- If remote web access for ACE Manager is not required, then set “Remote Access” to “Disabled”.
- Upgrade ALEOS software to 4.16 as soon as is possible.
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